Politics

ONLY LEADERS WITH INTEGRITY CAN DRIVE NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH – AMBODE …Lagos Gov’s Passion, Doggedness Commendable, Says Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship

Published

6 years ago

November 14, 2018

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday said if Nigeria must develop and have sizable improvement in the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), people of good conscience and high integrity must be at the drivers’ seat in all spheres of the economy.

Speaking at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja when he received national leadership of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (Nigeria) on a courtesy visit, Governor Ambode said the country stands to benefit a lot when good business practice is combined with excellent religious conscience, saying such would obviously result in growth and development.

According to him, “The economy of Lagos cannot be that productive to improve the GDP if there are no people with good conscience and this is what this fellowship stands for. It is not enough for you to have resources, it is not enough for you to have people that can improve productivity but again there are people who have to be drivers to arrive at the GDP or the kind of nation that we want.”

The Governor said since his assumption of office in the last three and half years, concerted efforts had been made to ensure religious harmony and also create greater enabling environment for businesses to thrive, saying it was gratifying that the State had experienced peaceful co-existence among religious group.

“One thing that I can assure of is our continuous support. Like you must have noticed in the last three years, we have ensured that there is proper religious harmony in this State and there has never been any single incident of religious crisis.

“Obviously, we recognize the fact that Lagos is a cosmopolitan State but irrespective of that, we have allowed a whole lot of freedom of space because that is the thing that actually drives productivity.

“All we do as a government is just to ensure that we create an enabling environment for people to practice religion without interference and at the same time greater enabling environment for them to do their businesses. So, when we combine good businesses and good religious conscience, obviously the nation will grow and then the nation will develop,” Governor Ambode said.

While describing members of the fellowship as distinguished personalities in various fields, the Governor equally commended them for holding their annual convention in Lagos, saying it was instructive that such was taking place at a time that the nation needs a lot of prayers.

Earlier, National President of the fellowship, Mr. Ifeanyi Odedo, who led the delegation, said the team was at Lagos House to officially inform the Governor of the ongoing 87th National Convention of the Fellowship, and also to explore partnership in key areas to grow the country’s GDP such as housing, agro industry, and information communication technology, among others.

Odedo also commended the Governor for his giant strides in the last three and half years, saying it was commendable that he had given priority to people-oriented policies and programs.

“We appreciate the kind of grace that God has bestowed upon you. In the past number of years that you have served this State as Executive Governor, we have seen your doggedness, we have seen your passion, we have seen your integrity, we have seen the spirit of professionalism and excellence with people-oriented programs that are very impactful.

“Suffice it to say that you have left a great legacy in the sand of history. I want to put on record that what God has deposited in you with which you have served this State in the past three and half years or thereabout, that thing will still find expression in no distant time. All things work together for good and because you are carrying the spirit of the Lord, the Lord is setting before you an open door and no man can shut it,” Odedo said.

celebrity radar - gossips

El-Rufai’s Shock Defection Sparks Political Firestorm as Presidency, APC Hit Back

Published

5 hours ago

March 11, 2025

Sahara Weekly

El-Rufai’s Shock Defection Sparks Political Firestorm as Presidency, APC Hit Back

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has ignited a political storm with his dramatic defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), a move seen as a direct challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

El-Rufai, in a scathing critique of the APC, accused the party of derailing from its founding principles and pledged to mobilize opposition forces to unseat the ruling government. “I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and by-elections,” he declared.

His defection letter, addressed to his ward in Kaduna State and publicly shared, detailed his frustration with the APC’s leadership. “Since 2013, I have hoped that my personal values and those of the APC will continue to align until I choose to retire from politics. Developments in the last two years confirm that those who currently control and run the APC do not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation,” he wrote.

The Presidency and the APC wasted no time in hitting back, dismissing El-Rufai’s move as an act of desperation driven by “an inordinate ambition destined to fail.” The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, downplayed El-Rufai’s influence, stating, “We will interrogate the motive in the coming days. Associating with sore losers to unseat the incumbent is not an ideology, neither is it progressivism.”

Similarly, the APC leadership in Kaduna brushed off El-Rufai’s defection as insignificant. Kaduna APC Secretary, Yahaya Baba-Pate, described it as “political gyration,” emphasizing that the party remains solidly behind President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani ahead of 2027.

Beyond Kaduna, El-Rufai’s sudden political maneuvering has sparked intense speculation. His recent high-profile meetings with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, suggest broader realignments ahead of the next election cycle. At a recent conference on strengthening democracy, El-Rufai openly called for opposition unity against the APC, further fueling speculations about a potential mega coalition.

However, not all opposition figures are convinced. Salihu Lukman, a former APC chieftain involved in the proposed coalition talks, criticized El-Rufai’s defection as premature, stating that “we expected him to be more patient so we could walk out as a group.” Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed his move as a strategic blunder, while the Pat Utomi-led National Consultative Front welcomed him as a key player in the anti-APC movement.

As political realignments intensify, El-Rufai’s defection sets the stage for what could be a fiercely contested 2027 election. While his ability to unify the fractured opposition remains uncertain, his departure from the APC marks a significant rupture within Nigeria’s ruling party. The coming months will reveal whether his bold gamble will reshape the political landscape or end in failure as his critics predict.

Politics

El-Rufai Resigns from APC, Joins SDP Citing Leadership Concerns

Published

17 hours ago

March 10, 2025

Sahara Weekly

El-Rufai Resigns from APC, Joins SDP Citing Leadership Concerns

Former Kaduna State Governor and a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has officially resigned from the ruling party, citing fundamental concerns over its leadership and direction. According to ThisDay Nigeria, El-Rufai announced his resignation in a statement released on Monday, expressing disappointment in the party’s deviation from its founding ideals.

El-Rufai criticized the APC leadership for sidelining key members and neglecting pressing internal issues, despite his repeated efforts to address these concerns both publicly and privately. He lamented the party’s drift away from progressive values and stated that recent developments confirmed a lack of willingness among those in control to acknowledge or rectify the situation.

“It had been my hope since 2013 that my personal values and that of the APC would continue to align up to the time I choose to retire from politics,” he said. “However, developments in the last two years confirm that there is no desire on the part of those who currently control and run the APC to acknowledge, much less address, the unhealthy situation of the party.”

El-Rufai played a crucial role in securing APC’s victories in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections. Reflecting on his tenure as Kaduna State Governor, he emphasized his administration’s commitment to education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and investment attraction. However, he asserted that these principles have been abandoned by the APC.

“These records count for little in the current APC that has castrated its organs and treated its membership with contempt in the last two years. I find this no longer acceptable,” he added.

Following extensive consultations with political associates, mentors, and supporters nationwide, El-Rufai announced his decision to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he believes presents a more credible alternative for progressive governance. He further called on opposition leaders and political parties to unite under a single democratic front to challenge the APC in future elections.

“As a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027,” he declared.

El-Rufai’s departure adds to the growing list of prominent figures who have distanced themselves from the APC or voiced discontent with its leadership. His move to the SDP could signal a significant realignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As El-Rufai embarks on a new political journey, the key question remains: will his defection trigger a mass exodus from the APC, or will the ruling party withstand yet another internal challenge? One thing is certain—his resignation has set the stage for a high-stakes political battle in the months and years ahead.

Politics

PDP’s Dwindling Fortunes Spark Concerns By Ifeoma Ikem

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2025

Sahara Weekly

PDP’s Dwindling Fortunes Spark Concerns

By Ifeoma Ikem

A member of the Lagos State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Committee, Prince (Dr.) Adedipe Ewenla, has raised concerns over the party’s declining influence in Nigeria’s political landscape since 1999.

Speaking on the party’s performance, Amb. Ewenla revealed that PDP’s representation at both the national and state levels has significantly dwindled over the years.

“In 1999, the PDP boasted 21 governors, 66 senators, and 200 House of Representatives members. However, by 2023, these figures had dropped to just 13 governors, 36 senators, and 118 House of Representatives members,” he stated.

Causes of PDP’s Decline

Dr. Ewenla attributed the party’s struggles to multiple factors, including internal divisions, weak candidate selection, and ineffective strategy. He noted that for the PDP to regain its lost ground, it must field strong, popular, and financially capable candidates who can effectively compete with the ruling party.

“The PDP must present candidates who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their opponents. We need to rebuild our internal structures and mend divisions within the party,” he emphasized.

He also highlighted Lagos State as a major challenge for the PDP, calling for a strategic approach ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections to build momentum.

“Winning in Lagos has always been difficult, but we must actively participate in local elections to strengthen our presence and gain relevance,” he urged.

Call for Party Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections

Dr. Ewenla further stressed that PDP must prioritize unity and cohesion to stand a chance in the 2027 general elections.

“We cannot afford to enter the next elections as a divided house. If we do not reconcile our differences and present a united front, our chances of success will remain slim,” he warned.

While the PDP leadership has yet to officially respond to these concerns, party members and supporters have begun expressing anxiety over the urgent need for reforms to restore the party’s influence.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the PDP faces a crucial test—will it reclaim its former dominance, or will its fortunes continue to dwindle? Only time will tell.